nerve

nerve

(nûrv)

n.

1. Any of the cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body. Nerves form a network of pathways for conducting information throughout the body.

2. The sensitive tissue in the pulp of a tooth.

3. A sore point or sensitive subject: The criticism touched a nerve.

4.

a. Courage and control under pressure: lost his nerve at the last minute.

b. Fortitude; stamina.

c. Forceful quality; boldness.

d. Brazen boldness; effrontery: had the nerve to deny it.

5. nerves Nervous agitation caused by fear, anxiety, or stress: had a sudden attack of nerves.

nerve

(nûrv)

Any of the bundles of fibers made up of nerve cells that carry information in the form of electrical impulses throughout the body. Nerves send sensory information to the brain and spinal cord and carry impulses to the muscles, organs, and glands.

nerve

action potential - A brief electrical signal transmitted along a nerve or muscle fiber following stimulation.

carpal tunnel syndrome - Describes a compression of a nerve over the carpal bones (eight small bones of the wrist) through a passage (tunnel) at the front of the wrist.

obdormition - Numbness caused by pressure on a nerve, as when a limb is "asleep."

funny bone - A nerve, not a bone; the name is a pun on the humerus, the arm bone that gets strange tingles when it is bumped.

musculospiral nerve, nervus radialis, radial nerve - largest branch of the brachial plexus; extends down the humerus to the lateral epicondyle where it divides into one branch that goes to the skin on the back of the hand and another that goes to the underlying extensor muscles

splanchnic nerve - any of several nerves of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system that innervate viscera and blood vessels

nervus ischiadicus, sciatic nerve - arises from the sacral plexus and passes about halfway down the thigh where it divides into the common peroneal and tibial nerves

cubital nerve, nervus ulnaris, ulnar nerve - a nerve running along the inner side of the arm and passing near the elbow; supplies intrinsic muscles of the hand and the skin of the medial side of the hand

nervus spinalis, spinal nerve - any of the 31 pairs of nerves emerging from each side of the spinal cord (each attached to the cord by two roots: ventral and dorsal)

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.